Sunday, May 5, 2019

13 of the Best Facebook Ad Examples That Actually Work (And Why)

On average, Facebook is home to 1.45 billion daily active users -- from CEOs, to students, to companies. And while the community is clearly there, connecting with them from a marketing standpoint isn't always easy.

For brands, posting on Facebook alone isn't enough anymore -- especially for ones just starting out. Sure, you can throw money at your efforts to drive people to your Facebook Page and send them to your website, but that only works if you're smart about it.

One way to do just that is to create optimized Facebook Ads targeted at the right audience. Optimized ads can help you spend your PPC budget wisely and see a positive return on your investment.

Free Lookbook: 50 Facebook Ad Examples That We Actually Clicked

So, what does optimized Facebook advertising actually look like? If you're looking for some great examples, you've come to the right place. In this post, we'll quickly go over the following things about the best Facebook ads. Click a link below to jump to that section of the article:

Before we get to the Facebook ad examples outlined above, let's discuss what makes a great Facebook Ad -- regardless of the format and template the ad is using.

4 Facebook Ads Best Practices

1. It's visual.

Visual content is not only treated more favorably in the Facebook algorithm, but it's also more likely to be shared and remembered than written content. The lesson for Facebook marketers? No matter what type of ad you create, your image needs to be visually appealing.

Check out this blog post for a detailed guide to image sizes for various ad units on Facebook along with some tips on posting visual content.

2. It's relevant.

Relevance is critical for success when using Facebook advertising. Remember, you are spending money when someone views or clicks on your ad (depending on the settings you use). If you're showing ads that aren't relevant to your target audience, you're wasting your time and money and will likely not see success with any kind of advertising.

Back in February 2015, Facebook launched a feature in the Facebook advertising platform that rates your ads and gives you a relevance score, similar to Ad Rank in Google AdWords. The more relevant your ad image, ad copy, and destination page is to your audience, the higher your score is -- and the more favorably Facebook will treat your ads.

3. It includes an enticing value proposition.

A value proposition tells the reader why they should click on your ad to learn more about your product. How is your product or service different from any other? Why should the viewer click on your ad to see your website?

Your value proposition should be believable. For example, saying you have the greatest sandwiches in the world will not make people come to your business's Page, but maybe offering 20% off will. Or, perhaps adding social proof will help -- something like, "Sandwiches loved by over one million people every year! Come try yours today and get 20% off your order with this coupon."

4. It has a clear call-to-action.

A beautiful and relevant ad is great, but without a call-to-action (CTA), your viewer might not know what to do next. Add a CTA like “Buy now and save X%,” or “Offer ends soon” and add a sense of urgency to your viewer. Your CTA should encourage people to click on your ad now.

To invest in Facebook Ads effectively, you first need to know whom your ads are directed toward. When creating a new ad on Facebook, you can create a new audience that includes many customizable characteristics. Among them are:

  • Location.
  • Age.
  • Sex.
  • Languages spoken.
  • Interests and behaviors.
  • Their connections to your other business-related pages on Facebook.

You can also create what's called a Lookalike Audience, which permits Facebook to create an audience for you that best resembles a particular "source." This source can include some or all the information listed above.

After customizing your ad's audience, you need to consider how the ad will look on both desktop and mobile. This ensures you design your ad for easy viewing no matter where it appears on Facebook. Here are three different places you can see your Facebook Ads show up:

Facebook Ad Placements

Placement 1: Right Column

Right Column Facebook Placement.png

Image via Facebook

This type of ad is the most traditional on Facebook, it appears on the right side of a user's Facebook News Feed. This is the first type of advertising Facebook had, and it still exists today.

Although ads in the News Feed are likely to get higher engagement metrics due to its native advertising features, right column ads shouldn't be forgotten. We often see less expensive clicks and conversions when using these ads. In order for a right column ad to be successful, it needs to be relevant, have a value proposition, a good visual, and have a call-to-action.

Placement 2: Desktop News Feed

Screen Shot 2016-11-29 at 1.16.38 PM.png

Image via Facebook

This type of ad appears directly in a user's News Feed when they access Facebook on a desktop computer, and it looks more like native advertising. In our experience, these ads have a higher engagement rate than right column ads, but they can also be more expensive. These ads must follow organic Facebook posts best practices and be both engaging and visual.

Placement 3: Mobile News Feed

Mobile Facebook Ad Placement.png

Image via Facebook

Like the desktop News Feed ad, this type of ad appears in the user's mobile News Feed and displays like an organic post from the people and Pages they follow.

Facebook Ad Formats

Next, you'll choose a format for your Facebook Ad, and there are eight options to choose from:

Format 1: Photo Ad

Photo Ads are still images that can help to promote a product or event you want to specifically call attention to. If you have a special promotion going on, for example, this ad format puts a crisp snapshot of your product or venue at the center of your ad.

For ads shown in a Facebook News Feed, the recommended image resolution is at least 1080 x 1080.

Format 2: Video Ad

Video Ads have a GIF or video as the centerpiece of the advertisement, and can be used to demonstrate a product or event. Video Ads help you form deeper connections with your audience by aligning your brand with a type of content online users are quickly consuming more of (nearly 80% of all data consumed on mobile devices will be in video form by 2021, according to a Facebook study).

There are six types of video ads you can invest in on Facebook:

  • Short Videos and GIFs
  • Vertical Videos
  • Instagram Stories
  • Video Carousels
  • Video Collections
  • In-stream Videos

Format 3: Stories Ad

Stories Ads are a part of Facebook Stories, one of the newest content types rolled out by Facebook that allows users to post temporary clips and images of their day for their friends to see. This type of ad is fitted to the dimensions of a mobile device, and can be played on both mobile and desktop.

As users browse their friends' Stories, these ads can appear in the same format inside a stream of Stories. For this reason, it's best to create Stories Ads that reflect the same candid and entertaining look and feel that people see from their friends. Stories Ads can be placed on Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram.

Format 4: Messenger Ad

A Messenger Ad appears as a direct message in a user's message list when they're inside Facebook's Messenger app. These ads allow you to interact with your audience, showing them offers you think they would like and listening to their responses so you can better tailor your next message to their interests.

Let's say your ad's first message is "What product might you be interested in?" The user can then select from three different responses, triggering your ad to produce a more specific product offer directly in the message thread.

Format 5: Carousel Ad

Carousel Ads contain a series of images or videos that users can rotate through, all of them helping to describe a single product, service, or event the ad is promoting. Each Carousel Ad can contain to 10 images or videos at a time and link to their own individual webpages. Because these ads carry so much media, according to Facebook, they're ideal for:

  • Endorsing multiple products.
  • Promoting multiple features of the same product.
  • Telling a story or sequence of events that unfolds over the course of multiple pictures or videos.
  • Explaining a process to potential customers.

Format 6: Slideshow Ad

Similar to Carousel Ads, explained above, Slideshow Ads segment your ad into individual images that users view one after another. The difference between these two ad formats is that Slideshow Ads only play images (not videos), and the ad compiles these images into a slideshow that plays automatically in the form of a video. According to Facebook, Carousel Ads are ideal for:

  • Creating a video-like experience for users quickly and with a small budget.
  • Advertisers who want to choose from a library of pre-created images and music (a unique perk of Facebook's Slideshow Ad).
  • Simplifying an otherwise complicated concept or process for potential customers.
  • Reaching people who have slower internet connections (Slideshow Ads use five times less data than video ads on Facebook).

Format 7: Collection Ad

A Collection Ad allows advertisers to bring the buying process directly into Facebook, so potential customers can move from "discovery" to "purchase" more easily when they see a product they like. This ad format features a central image or video promoting a product, with a collection of four smaller images below it that viewers can click on to learn more about the product. There are four types of Collection Ads you can invest in:

  • Instant Storefront: This ad is ideal for displaying multiple products as part of the same ad campaign, and driving traffic to each product's respective product page.
  • Instant Lookbook: This ad is ideal for demonstrating or modeling a product in various contexts for your audience.
  • Instant Customer Acquisition: This ad is ideal for driving traffic to, and a specific action on, a product's landing page.
  • Instant Storytelling: This ad is ideal for telling a story about your brand or helping your audience learn more about the business.

Format 8: Playables

Playables cater specifically to app developers. This ad format allows your audience to watch, preview, and even play an abbreviated version of your new app directly from inside the ad.

8 Facebook Ad Templates

Facebook Ads can be used to accomplish a number of different goals for your business. Here are a few real ads that you can use as templates of inspiration when creating an ad that targets the same goal:

Template 1: Video Product Demo Ad

Facebook ad template for video

Image via Facebook

Video ads appear fairly large in the user's New Feed and offer more engaging content than static posts. And with 8 billion videos being watched on Facebook every day, it serves as an interesting -- and potentially profitable -- ad type for marketers to try out.

How can you create your own video ad? First, understand Facebook video ad requirements including length and video size. We suggest keeping your video as short as possible, even though Facebook allows you to upload a much larger video. Create a video that displays your product or service, and upload directly to the Facebook ads manager by following these instructions.

Template 2: Photo Model Ad

Facebook ad template for photo

Image via Facebook

Another type of rich media advertising on Facebook is a post of an image. This is one of the most popular types of ads ever since Facebook began favoring visual content. The optimal size for News Feed photo ads is at least 1080 x 1080 pixels, otherwise your image will get cropped. Adjust your image based on the target audience's needs and by what will appeal to them the most.

Template 3: Multi-product Ad

Facebook ad template for multi-product

Image via Facebook

Multi-product ads allow advertisers to showcase multiple products within one ad. Viewers can scroll through the images and click on individual links to each product. You can promote multiple of anything, not just products -- like different blog posts, ebooks, or webinars. These ads can be created in the Facebook Power Editor.

Template 4: Reach Ad

Facebook ad template for reach ad and local awarenessImage via Facebook

Reach ads on Facebook are designed for to grow your local awareness. They only work if your business has a physical location to which you're trying to drive real foot traffic. If you fall into this category, locally targeted Facebook ads might be a great fit for you, as you can hyper-target on Facebook down to the mile.

If your business has an offer or event going on at your store, set up a few Facebook Reach ads that appear only to people within a short distance of your store. Have these ads appear a few days prior to the event and on mobile devices while the event is happening. You may want to reach some people the day of the event who happen to be in the area and checking their Facebook account on their smartphones.

Template 5: Special Offer Ad

Facebook ad template for offerImage via Facebook

An offer ad is a form of Facebook advertising wherein a business can promote a discount on a product or service that can be redeemed on Facebook. The benefit of this? It eliminates one step in the buyer's journey, which ultimately increases sales.

The offer ad has many benefits. First, it drives the user directly to the offer. The user claims it directly on Facebook, removing any added friction of needing to go to your website for the offer. You also can reach any type of audience that you want, as all the Facebook targeting options are possible.

Finally, you can include all the information needed for the user to decide if they want it or not, including the time period it is usable, the number of people who has already claimed it, and the exact amount the offer is. This will eliminate any unqualified clicks, which cost you money.

Template 6: Event Ad

Facebook ad template for event

Event ads promote a specific event. The CTA on these ads usually send users directly to the ticket purchase page, wherever that happens to be hosted.

Using this type of ad will help drive a targeted group of people to attend your event. These will show up in the News Feed of the specific audience you've chosen. Events are a big part of most businesses, but getting people to attend even a small event, can be tricky. Promoting your event to a targeted specific audience on Facebook can help drive the right kind of attendees.

A good ad in this format will clearly show the benefit of attending the event: the price, dates, and a clear CTA to purchase a ticket.

Template 7: Boosted Ad

Facebook ad template for boosted postImage via Stealth Seminar

A boosted post is an organic Facebook post that was originally on the homepage of a company's Facebook, and that later was boosted with advertising money.

This is different from the above ads because it's not created in the Facebook Ads Manager. You can include more in the description, as there is no limit to word count on boosted posts like there is in ads. You can also have a link in the copy.

The cons? Boosted posts leave you fewer options for bidding, targeting, and pricing. You also cannot run any types of A/B tests because you're promoting a post that has already been created; you're not creating one from scratch.

Template 8: Retargeting Ad

A retargeting ad promotes an ad to a specific list of previously identified people. Have you ever seen ads follow you across the internet after visiting a certain website? Then you've seen a retargeting ad.

Facebook has the same capability. An advertiser can advertise to a list of leads or customers by uploading a list of email addresses it already has into the Power Editor to make a custom audience. A good retargeting ad acknowledges that the brand knows you're already interested in its product. (Because, let's face it ... retargeting can be a little creepy.)

Now that we've covered the main ad best practices, formats, and templates, let's dig into a sampling of the best Facebook ads that embrace the above guidelines.

1. Kay Jewelers

Video Ad

Facebook video ad by Kay Jewelers

This Facebook video ad from Kay Jewelers tells a quick but moving story -- something Kay Jewelers is well-known for -- using just a few seconds of your time. You don't even need the sound on in the video above to know what's happening and the message Kay is sending.

If you're advertising a product with sentimental value, like Kay Jewelers, video ads are the way to go. Just be sure your video has a clear (and happy) ending -- people view videos more passively on Facebook than they would on YouTube, and don't have time to interpret your ad if it's too long or complex.

Why This Ad Works

  • It's visual. Even though this is a video, I have a general idea of what I will be watching, thanks to the screen capture it started with. Additionally, I can understand the gist of this ad without playing with the sound on, which is important given that 85% of videos on Facebook are now viewed without sound.
  • It's relevant. It's relevant to me because I was recently scouring jewelry websites, specifically for necklaces like the one in the ad.
  • It's valuable. Kay shows potential customers the value of purchasing with the help of the happy reaction from the woman receiving the gift in the ad. Plus, who doesn't love dogs?
  • It has a solid call-to-action. This ad is set up to drive Page Likes, which is an easy, one-click way for me to get more relevant content served up to me.

2. Monday.com

Photo Ad

Facebook photo ad by Monday.com

Monday.com is a task-management tool that caters to multiple operating systems, both desktop and mobile. But in the photo ad above, the company used its compatibility with Mac computers to remix its own logo in the original rainbow colors of the Apple brand.

For growing businesses like Monday.com, it's a smart idea to pivot off the brand awareness of household names. By filling the Monday logo with Apple's famous rainbow color-way, the ad above captures the attention of Mac users who'd recognize those vintage rainbow stripes anywhere (and could use a new task-management tool that works on their computer).

Why This Ad Works

  • It's visual. The rainbow colors filling the Monday logo are both eye-catching against the black background and familiar to any Mac user.
  • It's relevant. For Mac users, and those who need to organize their tasks on a regular basis, this ad is relevant to their lifestyle in more ways than one.
  • It's valuable. The ad calls attention to Monday's compatibility with Mac computers, making the product's user experience more valuable to Mac users as a result.
  • It has a clear call-to-action. The "Learn More" CTA on the bottom-right of the ad is a clear invitation to find out more about this product's usage on Apple hardware.

3. Amazon

Event Ad

Facebook event ad for litter box by Amazon

This is how an event ad from Amazon looks in the News Feed on a desktop. This ad works well on a few different levels: A sample product is clearly displayed, the ad shows an impressive (but honest) rating of that product, and you know which event Amazon is promoting right away -- Black Friday.

Ecommerce companies like Amazon use event ads to boost sales at specific points during the year, and Facebook event ads make this easy. When investing in event advertising, build a list of the holidays, shows, conferences, and awareness months your business cares about. That way, you know exactly which marketing campaigns line up with these occurrences and when to promote it on your Facebook Business Page.

Why This Ad Works

  • It's visual. Not only is this image larger than the right column ad display, but it also uses warm colors, white space, and directional lines, which drew my eye towards the featured product.
  • It's relevant. As a cat mom, this offer is clearly tailored to my consumer needs.
  • It includes an enticing value prop. Amazon has advertised a self-cleaning litter box here, which is of tremendous value for any cat owner. Additionally, it shared the strong customer ratings below an image of the product. (Social proof, anyone?)
  • It has a clear call-to-action. Amazon instructs me to click on its ad today, after which point the deal for the litter box will presumably disappear. "Now" is strong CTA language that compels clicks.

4. NatureBox

Photo Ad

Facebook photo ad by NatureBox

This photo ad by NatureBox features a creative point-of-view shot that is perfect for the angle at which you'd dive into the company's various health snacks. The ad makes you imagine your next house party ... I thought the peanuts spilling out onto the table was a nice touch.

In your next Facebook photo ad, play around with live-action photography and digital design in the same image. As you can see in the ad above, NatureBox was able to design a vibrant "free trial" icon right on top of an image that would've worked just as well on its own.

Why This Ad Works

  • It's visual. The image shows you exactly what you're getting, and it calls out the “free trial” CTA well.
  • It's relevant. Everyone likes to snack. In all seriousness, the person who saw this is a fan of several lifestyle subscription companies, which is what NatureBox is.
  • It's valuable. This ad is full of value. First, the “free trial” callout is the first thing your eyes go to when looking at the image. Second, it clearly mentions the healthy aspects of the goodies in its product.
  • It has a clear call-to-action. NatureBox is asking you to try its free sample. It couldn't be easier to know your next step.

5. Winc

Retargeting Ad

Facebook retargeting ad by Winc

Here's an example of a short and sweet (literally) retargeting ad from Winc (formerly known as Club W). This ad is displayed on the right column of Facebook specifically for users who browse wine-related content online. When your ad caters to people who you know would be interested, modeling the product the way Winc does above can be a home run for your brand.

Why This Ad Works

  • It's visual. The visual is clear, simple, and appealing to all types of wine-lovers.
  • It's relevant. This came up in my wine-obsessed colleague's News Feed. Need I say more? Two thumbs up on relevance.
  • It includes an enticing value prop. Three bottles for $19? What a steal. They also pull the viewer in with an additional value: a discount on their first order of wine.
  • It has a strong call-to-action. The word "get" is strong call-to-action language, and it's used twice here. A time limit on this offer would have made it even stronger.

6. Shutterfly

Multi-Product Ad

Facebook multi-product ad by Shutterfly

Here's an example of a multi-product ad from Shutterfly, along with the additional images that are used in the ad. Each image has a different offer, to appeal to many different demographics in one ad.

In each image, the product being promoted is consistent in the look and feel of the Shutterfly brand -- this an important quality of ads that showcase more than one item and picture.

Why This Ad Works

  • It's visual. This series of images leans on a consistent color palette, making it feel both cohesive and on brand. (Having a cute cat doesn't hurt either.)
  • It's relevant. The person who saw this loves taking photos and creating sentimental gifts. Spot on, right?
  • It's valuable. There is a very clear value for the user, 40% off each of the products being advertised. The code and sale end date are also clear in the ad description. This ad also has an added level of value, it is showing the many different ways people can use Shutterfly, in ways many may not be aware of.
  • It has a clear call-to-action. I know I need to use this before February 17th when this deal expires, so I would be encouraged to take action right away.

7. MU Campus Dining

Reach Ad

Facebook local ad by MU Campus Dining

This Facebook reach ad from Mizzou Campus Dining promotes amenities at the University of Missouri, using two familiar logos and a marketplace that anyone on campus might recognize.

The ad copy beneath the image invites customers in "after the game" -- a reference to campus life that helps Facebook users imagine when they might want to stop in for a sandwich.

Why This Ad Works

  • It's visual. This image has college pride, a variety of salty and sweet treats, and a well-known logo to attract hungry college students.
  • It's relevant. This ad is likely only being shown to students on campus who are in its target audience. It also mentions the sports game that was going on at the time, and plays to the student's current needs: snacks and Subway sandwiches.
  • It's valuable. Mizzou Market is telling hungry college students that it has everything students need for the big game.
  • It has a clear call-to-action. This ad has the option to show directions, making it extremely easy for a college student on the go to follow the walking directions to this market.

8. Boston Sports Clubs

Offer Ad

Facebook offer ad by Boston Sports Clubs

All consumers really need to see is the boxer pictured above to know what this ad by Boston Sports Clubs (BSC) is offering. The woman in the photo even looks like she's staring at the text to her left, getting viewers to shift their attention to the promotion right away.

This Facebook offer ad makes it obvious what customers would be signing up for when they click the "Sign Up" CTA button below the picture. Offer ads can easily mislead viewers into pressing their CTA just to get them to click on it, but it ultimately doesn't convert viewers into customers. BSC's approach above is clear and upfront about what it's offering throughout its conversion path.

Why This Ad Works

  • It's visual. The featured photo uses bold colors and clear typography to draw my attention to the details of the offer, and the woman exercising gives me an idea of what I could gain from purchasing the offer.
  • It's relevant. I recently moved to Boston and have been searching for gyms in my area online, so this ad is highly relevant to my recent Facebook and search activity.
  • It's valuable. Paying $5 for a monthly gym membership is a great deal. Even though the price may increase in the future, the low price definitely makes me want to click.
  • It has a clear call-to-action. The CTA emphasizes that the discount offer is limited and should be claimed quickly using the word "hurry" and telling me when the offer expires.

9. Allbirds

Video Ad

Facebook video ad by Allbirds

This video ad by Allbirds, a shoe maker, uses simplicity and whitespace to its advantage. The video only lasts nine seconds, but Allbirds demonstrates the product in a way that catches your attention and resonates with the individual wearer.

There's a lot of ad content on Facebook, and when Facebook users scroll through their News Feeds, that content start to blend together. Sometimes your best chance at sticking out on Facebook is by using subtle movements and details -- like Allbirds did, above. Let every other video on Facebook be quick and flashy, and yours will be a breath of fresh air to your audience.

Why This Ad Works

  • It's visual. The video has a clear focus on a subject, and that subject is engaging in a movement that means something: These shoes are comfy. I subconsciously started wiggling my own toes as I saw this ad for the first time.
  • It's relevant. I'm always interested in finding new shoes -- I probably search or click on something related to footwear once a week. This ad feeds that interest in a unique way.
  • It's valuable. The opening quote above the video is reason enough for me to want to learn more about why these shoes are so comfortable. Allbirds also sweetens the deal with "free shipping," "free returns," and a note below the video that the product is "machine washable" -- all without taking the focus away from the video itself.
  • It has a clear call-to-action. If I want these shoes, there's a "Shop Now" CTA button to the bottom-right of the ad, waiting for me take a closer look at them.

10. The New York Times

Photo Ad

Facebook photo ad by the New York Times

This photo ad by the The New York Times is driving traffic to a written article with an intriguing illustration. The drawing literally depicts the article's ideal audience -- millennials. For young readers who are even a little interested in health and fitness, this cartoon (along with the enticing headline) pokes just enough fun at them to get their attention.

When publishers advertise on Facebook, they need to be especially creative with their featured images -- if their main product is a reading experience, the photo they choose has to complement their written content perfectly. The New York Times' ad above is an example of photo ads done right.

Why This Ad Works

  • It's visual. The quirky cartoon drew my eye as I scrolled on my mobile News Feed through lots of text and photography. The nontraditional illustration pulled me in for a closer look at the content.
  • It's relevant. I'm a person in my 20s, and I used to write about health care. This is an article I would definitely be interested in reading, and it helps that the ad appears like a native post promoting an article in my New Feed.
  • It includes an enticing value prop. The ad shows me which of my Facebook friends also like, and presumably read, The New York Times. This social proof makes me more likely to click and read the article.
  • It has a clear call-to-action. This ad is dedicated to increasing the page's Likes, and by asking a question in the ad, the call-to-action makes me want to click the article to learn more.

11. Tortuga Music Festival

Event Ad

Facebook event ad by Tortuga Music Festival

Successful event ads have at least two important qualities: the event's schedule and something to justify why people should attend. The event ad above for the Tortuga Music Festival accomplishes both of those things -- it displays the date and time and the bands playing, and shows you a picture of the amazing time you'll have if you come.

Why This Ad Works

  • It's visual. The picture alone is worth a thousand words about how much fun this concert would be. Not only is it on the beach, it was also taken on a gorgeous day and the stage looks amazing. Also, it clearly represents what to expect during the event, and it catches the eye as someone scrolls through their News Feed. (The beautiful ocean water definitely helps.)
  • It's relevant. The person who saw this ad is a fan of Kenny Chesney and has been to his concerts before. They're also originally from Florida, which is where this event takes place.
  • It's valuable. Since the image was taken on a beautiful day, it looks like an ideal place to be -- especially to those of us viewing it from our office desks. It also clearly tells you the cost of the ticket so you know before you click. (This is also good for the advertiser: By including the price, the ad allows users to self-select based on whether they can afford the ticket. If they can't afford it, they won't click through, thus saving the advertiser money on unqualified clicks.)
  • It has a clear call-to-action. The CTA is clear: "Buy." The advertisers also add urgent wording with the title “Time is running out!”, encouraging you to purchase your ticket now before it's too late.

12. Adrianna Papell

Retargeting Ad

Facebook retargeting ad for Adrianna Papell wedding dresses

Last week, I started shopping around for a bridesmaid dress for an upcoming wedding I'll be in. Today, the ad above appeared in my News Feed.

Retargeting ads enable you to get in front of those viewers who are already looking for what you're offering. This retargeting ad by Adrianna Papell doesn't just show me what I'm on the market for -- it excites me about how beautiful our own wedding party pictures will look on my friend's big day.

Why This Ad Works

  • It's visual. The image gives me a good idea of what to expect from the designer's website, and it definitely helps that the gowns are both unique and stunning. Talk about a showstopper.
  • It's relevant. The ad called out that I was already shopping for bridesmaid dresses, and what's more, I had previously looked at dresses on this exact website, so this ad is highly relevant to my search.
  • It's valuable. The variety of dresses in the ad's image and in the description make this website worth a visit for someone trying to find the perfect gown out of thousands of options.
  • It has a clear call-to-action. The CTA is "Shop Now," which encourages me to click to purchase the beautiful dresses in the ad's image.

13. Bustle

Boosted Post

Facebook boosted post by Bustle

Here's an example of a boosted post from Bustle, who promoted one of its articles on Facebook. Paying to "boost" a post you already posted organically to your Facebook Business Page can greatly benefit content that has mass appeal -- versus a post that targets a specific segment of your audience. Bustle's choice of boosted post here falls into that first category.

From Amazon's vibrant neon sign in the photo, to the high number of examples included in the article (42, to be exact), Bustle's boosted ad is sure to pique the interest of many Amazon and Bustle followers.

Why This Ad Works

  • It's visual. Lots of people are familiar with the Amazon Prime logo, but not in neon lights in a window display. It made me do a double-take while scrolling through Facebook.
  • It's relevant. As we've already learned from earlier examples, I like shopping on Amazon and also read Bustle, so this article is a combination of those two behaviors.
  • It's valuable. "Brilliant" is a strong adjective to describe products, which makes me curious to learn more about purchasing them.
  • It has a clear call-to-action. The ad entices me with information about useful and "brilliant" gadgets I can get delivered to my door within two days, which I'm happy to click to learn more about.

There you have it: A list of all the different types of Facebook posts and a few examples of awesome ones from all different brands. The Facebook Ads Manager platform will walk you through how to set these up with simple, step-by-step instructions -- so don't feel overwhelmed. Or, watch this short video for tips on creating and optimizing Facebook ads.

 
Note for HubSpot customers: You can integrate Facebook Ads reporting into the HubSpot Ads App to make reporting and analyzing your advertising ROI easier. You'll be able to easily see which Facebook Ads generate leads and increase your ROI without having to analyze the data yourself. You can also use this integration to edit Facebook Ads from directly within your HubSpot portal. Customers can sign up to test this integration here .

Now, stop reading and start creating.

Want to see how HubSpot uses Facebook? Like our Facebook Page here.

FB Ad Examples

Facebook Ad Examples
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Saturday, May 4, 2019

New Facebook F8 Announcements and What They Mean for Marketers

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Social Media Marketing Talk Show, a news show for marketers who want to stay on the leading edge of social media. On this week’s Social Media Marketing Talk Show, we explore the Facebook desktop and mobile redesign and new Messenger business tools announced at the F8 Developer Conference, […]

The post New Facebook F8 Announcements and What They Mean for Marketers appeared first on Social Media Marketing | Social Media Examiner.

May 04, 2019 at 12:00PM http://bit.ly/2ZV60OC
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Friday, May 3, 2019

Cloud Integration Explained, and 6 of the Best Cloud Integration Platforms

As marketers, smashing our department’s silos is crucial for truly understanding our customers and catering to their needs. If we understand each team’s challenges and initiatives, we can align our entire department to send the most relevant content to our audience and achieve a common goal.

In regards to your tech stack, the same principle applies. The average small to midsize business has 13 different applications in their stack and they usually don’t integrate with each other. This silos organizations' data, making it difficult to track their customers’ touch points and understand their true buyer’s journey.

Fortunately, there are cloud integration platforms that can connect your distinct cloud-based applications together, let you manage their data, and even automate your business processes all in one interface.

Read on to learn what exactly cloud integration is and the best cloud integration platforms on the market, according to G2.

1. JitterBit

G2 Rating: 4.7/5.0 (150 Reviews)

As one of the leaders in the iPaaS space, JitterBit lets you fuse thousands of SaaS, cloud, and on-premises applications into one interface. You can also leverage their pre-built templates and workflows to automate your business processes. Additionally, you can create new APIs from your existing enterprise applications or data on their API platform. You can even blend your newly created APIs with external APIs to roll out new business solutions.

2. PieSync

G2 Rating: 4.6/5.0 (216 Reviews)

PieSync leverages their Intelligent 2-Way Sync technology to update any customer’s information in one app after it changes in the other. The cloud integration platform also gives you complete control over the apps you choose to sync, consolidates customer information from multiple apps, and stores and updates all your data in one place so you can access it and make the most accurate data-driven decisions for your business.

3. Zapier

G2 Rating: 4.5/5.0 (371 Reviews)

With the ability to connect to and share data with over 1,000 web apps, like Facebook, QuickBooks, and Google Drive, Zapier can automate almost any type of business process. All you have to do is build a workflow in their editor, pick the apps you want to include in your workflow, and design it.

4. MuleSoft Anypoint Platform

G2 Rating: 4.4/5.0 (479 Reviews)

Trusted by over 1,600 enterprise companies, MuleSoft Anypoint Platform lets you manage all your APIs and integrations on one platform. You can also build and integrate your APIs, integrate with any application, data, or device, deploy on-premises integrations to the cloud without rewriting any code, and protect your data and administer access to employees by leveraging edge gateways and encryption.

5. IBM App Connect

G2 Rating: 4.3/5.0 (193 Reviews)

With IBM App Connect, you can integrate your data between on-premises and cloud-based applications, build APIs on an intuitive, code-free interface, and build workflows that automate your business processes within different apps. You can also deploy IBM App Connect in any cloud or on-premises environment.

6. Dell Boomi

G2 Rating: 4.2/5.0 (170 Reviews)

Trusted by over 8,000 brands, Dell Boomi lets you fuse all your digital platforms into one. By uniting all your data, applications and processes, Boomi essentially stores all of your technology systems and assets in one place. With Boomi, you can also manage your APIs, data quality, and B2B network, build workflows with minimal coding knowledge, and develop applications.

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How to Test Your Facebook Ads for Optimal Results

Do you want to optimize your Facebook ads? Wondering what the best audience, creative, and placement are to use for your message? To explore how to test your Facebook ads for optimal results, I interview Andrea Vahl. Andrea is a Facebook ads expert, the author of Facebook Ads Made Simple, and she runs a course […]

The post How to Test Your Facebook Ads for Optimal Results appeared first on Social Media Marketing | Social Media Examiner.

May 03, 2019 at 12:00PM http://bit.ly/2WnFZ8u
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Thursday, May 2, 2019

9 of the Best Professional Bio Examples We've Ever Seen [+ Bio Templates]

Is your professional bio as good as it can be?

In this article, we have nine real bio examples you should definitely compare yours to -- and a series of free bio templates you can use to perfect it.

Most people don't think about their professional bio until they're suddenly asked to "shoot one over via email," and have approximately one afternoon to come up with it. That's when we scramble, and our bio ends up reading like this:

Rodney Erickson is a content marketing professional at HubSpot, an inbound marketing and sales platform that helps companies attract visitors, convert leads, and close customers. Previously, Rodney worked as a marketing manager for a tech software startup. He graduated with honors from Columbia University with a dual degree in Business Administration and Creative Writing."

Woof, that was dull. Are you still with me? I swear, not even adding a tidbit about his cats would liven that bio up.

Access 80 Professional Bio Templates + Examples.

To be fair, in certain contexts, your professional bio does need to be more formal, like Mr. Erickson's up there. But in many cases, writing a bio that's readable -- even conversational -- is actually a really good thing. That means dropping that traditional format of listing your accomplishments like a robot and cramming as much professional-sounding jargon in there as you can.

1. Create an 'About' page for your website or profile.

Before you can publish your professional bio, you need a living space for it. Here are a few to consider (some of these you might already have in place):

  • Facebook Business page
  • LinkedIn profile
  • Instagram account
  • Personal website
  • Personal blog
  • Industry website
  • Industry blog byline

As you'll see in the professional bio examples below, the length and tone of your bio will differ depending on which of the above platforms you choose to be on. Instagram, for example, allows only 150 characters of bio space, whereas you can write virtually as much as you want on your personal website -- or even your Facebook Business page. But once created, this bio should represent who you are in the eyes of your audience.

2. Begin writing your bio with your first and last name.

If your readers don't remember anything else about your bio, make sure they remember your name. For that reason, it's a good idea for your first and last name to be the first two words of your professional bio. Even if your name is printed above this bio (hint: it should), this is a rare moment where it's okay to be redundant.

For example, if I were writing my own bio, I might start it like this:

Lindsay Kolowich

Lindsay Kolowich is a Senior Marketing Manager at HubSpot.

3. Mention any associated brand name you might use.

Will your professional bio represent yourself, or a business you work for? Make sure the brand you want to be associated with is mentioned in your bio. If you're a freelancer, perhaps you have a personal business name or pseudonym you advertise to your clients. Here are a few examples:

  • Lindsay Kolowich Marketing
  • SEO Lindsay
  • Kolowich Consulting
  • Content by Kolowich (what do you think ... too cheesy?)

Maybe you founded your own company, and you want its name to be separate from your real name. Don't be afraid to keep it simple: "Lindsay Kolowich is the founder and CEO of Kolowich Consulting."

4. State your current position and what you do.

Whether you're the founder of your company or a mid-level specialist, use the next few lines of your bio to describe what you do in that position. Don't assume your audience will naturally know what your job title entails. Make your primary responsibilities known for the reader, helping them paint a picture of who you are during the day and what you have to offer the industry.

5. Include at least one professional accomplishment.

Just as a business touts its client successes in the form of case studies, your professional bio should let your own audience know what you've already achieved. What have you done for yourself -- as well as for others -- that makes you a valuable player in your industry?

6. Describe your values and how they inform your career.

Why do you do what you do? What might make your contribution to the market different than your colleagues? Better yet, what values do you and your colleagues share that would make your business a worthwhile investment to others? Start to wrap up your professional bio by simply explaining what gets you up in the morning.

7. Briefly tell your readers who you are outside of work.

Transition from describing your values in work to describing who you are outside of work. This may include:

  • Your family
  • Your hometown
  • Sports you play
  • Hobbies and interests
  • Favorite music and travel destinations
  • Side hustles you're working on

People like connecting with other people. The more transparent you are about who you are personally, the more likable you'll be to the people reading about who you are professionally.

8. Consider adding humor or a personal story to add flavor to your professional bio.

End your professional bio on a good note -- or, more specifically, a funny note. Leaving your audience with something quirky or uniquely you can ensure they'll leave your website with a pleasant impression of you.

It's important to follow the steps above when writing your bio, but don't obsess over any one section. Remember, the people reading your bio are suffering from information fatigue. If you don't hook 'em in the first line, you'll lose them quickly.

(P.S. Want to give your professional brand a boost? Take one of HubSpot Academy's free certification courses. In just one weekend, you can add a line to your resume and bio that's coveted by over 60,000 marketers.)

Why Good Bios Are Important for a Professional

Alright, I know what you may be thinking ... So what? It's just a bio. I mean, how many people actually read professional bios, anyway?

The answer: A lot of people. More importantly, though, there's no way to tell exactly who is reading it -- and you always want it to be ready for when the right people to come across it. And when they do, you want it to catch their eye. In a good way.

You see, while your resume is only useful for when you're actively applying for specific positions, your professional bio is much more visible. It can live on your LinkedIn profile, your company's website, your guest blog posts, your speaker profiles, your Twitter bio, and many other places.

And, most importantly, it's the tool that you can leverage most when you're networking.

Bottom line? People will read your professional bio. Whether they remember it, and whether it makes them actually care about you, is a matter of how well you present yourself to your intended audience.

So, what does a top-notch professional bio look like?

Below, we've curated some of the best real professional bio examples we've ever seen on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and the various websites where you might describe yourself.

Check 'em out, and use them as inspiration when crafting your own.

9 of the Best Professional Bio Examples We've Ever Seen

1. Ann Handley

Bio Platform: Personal Website

If you're a marketer, you've likely heard of Ann Handley. Her list of credentials is lengthy, and if she really wanted to, she could go on and on and on about her accomplishments.

But when people list out all their accomplishments in their bios, they risk sounding a little egotistical. Sure, you might impress a handful of people with all those laurels, but many people who read your bio will end up feeling either intimidated or annoyed. Think about it: Is that how you want the majority of your readers to feel when they read your bio?

To minimize the egoism that comes with talking about yourself, think about how you can list out your accomplishments without sounding like you're bragging. Ann does this really well, choosing a tone in her bio that's more approachable.

It starts with the excerpt in the footer of her personal website. Give it a quick read, paying close attention to the opening and closing lines:

Ann Handley's professional bio on her personal website

"This is Ann Handley's website, and this is a bit of copy about her ... That's not giving you a lot of detail, is it? So read more here." This is the kind of simple, friendly language that invites the reader in rather than shutting them out.

Follow the link and you'll be led to a page dedicated to a fuller bio, which she's divided into two parts: a "short version" (literally a bulleted list of key facts) and a "long version," which includes traditional paragraphs. There's something in there for everyone.

2. Rebecca Bollwitt

Bio platform: Instagram

Instagram is a notoriously difficult platform on which to write a good bio. Similar to Twitter, you simply don't have room for a professional bio that includes everything about you. And because Instagram is primarily a mobile app, many viewers are reading about you passively on their mobile device.

Instagram's limited bio space requires you to highlight just your most important qualities, and blogging icon Rebecca Bollwitt does so in her own Instagram bio in an excellent way.

Rebecca's brand name is Miss604, and cleverly uses emojis in her Instagram bio to tell visitors exactly what makes her a valuable content creator. Take a look in the screenshot below.

Miss604's professional bio on Instagram

Starting with a trophy emoji, Miss604 says she's won more than 30 awards for her blogging services. I haven't even looked at her pictures yet and the introduction of her bio has already sucked me in.

The rest of her bio follows suit, breaking up the text with an appropriate emoji and a perfect collection of nouns to tell me who she is as a person. She even links out to her husband's Instagram account after the heart emoji (an adorable addition), and assures her followers that all of her pictures are authentically hers.

Take a lesson from Miss604, and show your personal side. Just because you're branding yourself as a professional doesn't mean you have to take your human being hat off. Often your most personal attributes make for the best professional bio content.

3. Mark Gallion

Bio Platform: Twitter

As a venture capitalist and an executive at several start-ups, Mark Gallion has different versions of his bio all over the internet. You can imagine some are more formal than others. But when it comes to his Twitter bio, he carefully phrased his information in a way that helps him connect with his audience -- specifically, through the use of humor.

Mark Gallion's professional bio on Twitter

Why would he choose humor when he runs four start-ups and constantly seeks funding for them? Well, Mark's tactic is totally intentional: it's a lever he pulls to refresh his brand while maintaining his already impressive and established identity as an entrepreneur.

Mark leverages his Twitter bio because it’s place where he can be human. And it helps him relate to his followers and potential investors.

When crafting your own Twitter bio, consider your audience and the personal brand you're trying to create for yourself. Use it as an opportunity to be relatable. (And check out this list of amusing Twitter bios for inspiration.)

4. DJ Nexus

Bio Platform: Facebook

This New England-based DJ has single-handedly captured the Likes of more than 2,000 people in and beyond Boston, MA. And even if you don't listen to the type of music he produces, it's hard not to listen to his compelling Facebook bio.

Stage-named DJ Nexus, Jamerson's professional bio makes use of nearly every Page field inside the About tab. Right away, his audience knows which genres he plays in, where he's from, and who else he's worked with. The latter -- under "Affiliation," as shown in the screenshot below -- is unique and seldom mentioned in professional bios today.

Our favorite part about DJ Nexus's bio? His tagline, under "About" -- "Quiet during the day. QUITE LOUD at night!" DJ Nexus tells you when he works in an awesome way. I got goosebumps just imagining a dance club he might play his music in.

DJ Nexus's professional bio on Facebook

DJ Nexus's bio brilliance doesn't stop there.

The great thing about Facebook Business Pages is that you can write as much as you want without overwhelming your Page visitors. For those who just want Jamerson's basic info, they have the four categories shown above. For those who want to learn more about him, he tells an excellent story of his career. Here's just a preview of his story, below:

A story on DJ Nexus's Facebook Business Page

In this story, DJ Nexus describes both when he "became known as DJ Nexus" and a company he founded shortly afterward -- all before going to college. This is a terrific lesson for Facebook Businesses today: customers want to learn about you, and as Facebook increasingly becomes a place for meaningful interactions, there's no better place to tell your story than on your Facebook Business Page.

5. Lena Axelsson

Bio Platform: Industry Website

When it all comes down to it, your professional bio is no different than any other piece of persuasive copy -- no matter where it lives. One of the most common mistakes people make is thinking of it as its own beast, separate from other pieces of writing. If you think about it that way, you're far more likely to write something painfully uninteresting.

When you sit down to write your professional bio and you're watching that cursor blinking on the screen, think about how you would introduce a blog post. You don't just dive right into the meat of the thing, now, do you? No. You start with an introduction.

The best bios are often concise (around 200–300 words), so you don't have a lot of room to play around. But a single sentence that tees your reader up and provides context for the accomplishments that follow could make the rest of your bio that much more persuasive.

Take Lena Axelsson's bio, for instance. She's a marriage and family therapist -- a job where empathy and compassion are a big part of the job description. That's why she chooses to open her bio with a great introductory sentence: "When human beings experience trauma or severe life stressors, it is not uncommon for their lives to unravel."

Lena Axelsson's professional bio on an industry website for therapists

Then, she goes into why she's passionate about her job, how she helps her clients, and how she caters her approach to each individual patient. The necessary educational information is left for the end, after the reader has been hooked.

Your bio doesn't have to be super serious, nor does it have to start with a joke. This bio shows how you can capture your reader's attention by being empathetic and showing how that empathy shapes a valuable professional.

6. Mark Levy

Bio Platform: Personal Website

Mark Levy is a small business owner who's taken a more traditional approach to the professional bio on his website -- but in a way that takes care to speak to his intended audience.

What we love about his bio is the way he's set it up: On his business' "About" page, he's listed two biographies, which he's labeled "Mark Levy's Biography #1" and "Mark Levy's Biography #2."

Mark Levy's professional bio in his personal website

Click here to see the full version.

Like Ann, Mark's given his readers two different options. The first biography is a "short version," which includes a combination of bullet points listing his credentials and a few short paragraphs.

The second is the "long version," which is actually even more interesting than the first one. Why? Because it reads like a story -- a compelling one, at that. In fact, it gets really funny at parts.

The second sentence of the bio reads: "He was frightened of public school, loved playing baseball and football, ran home to watch ape films on the 4:30 Movie, listened to The Jam and The Buzzcocks, and read magic trick books."

Here's another excerpt from the middle:

mark-levy-long-bio-snippet.png

Of course, the fantastic copywriting isn't a surprise, given that this guy wrote several books. But the conversational tone and entertaining copy let his quirky personality (and great writing skills) shine.

7. Corey Wainwright

Bio Platform: Blog Byline

Finally, we have Corey Wainwright, who's the director of content here at HubSpot. She's written content for HubSpot's Marketing Blog for years, and her blog author bio has caught my eye since before I ever started working for HubSpot. (Back then, it started with, "Corey just took a cool vacation.")

What I love most about Corey's bio is that it's a great example of how to deliver information about yourself without taking things too seriously. And in this context, that's totally appropriate.

Despite having a number of impressive accomplishments under her belt, she simply doesn't like displaying them publicly. So, she prefers making her author bio a little more "light."

Her bio (pictured below) reads, "Corey is a Bruce Springsteen fan who does content marketing, in that order."

Corey Wrainwright's professional bio as a blog byline for HubSpot

It works in this particular context because, at HubSpot, our blog authors often prefer to make themselves as friendly and approachable as possible -- while letting the content speak for itself.

It helps that authors' social media accounts are located right below our names and above our pictures. For folks who really do want a list of Corey's credentials, they can click the LinkedIn button to go to her LinkedIn page. (You can read this blog post to learn how to create social media buttons and add them to your website.)

8. Marie Mikhail

Bio Platform: LinkedIn

Marie Mikhail checks off nearly every box for what makes an excellent bio. A professional recruiter, she expresses her "passion for recruiting" upfront, in the first sentence, while using that sentence to hook her profile visitors into a brief story of her background.

Marie Mikhail's professional bio on LinkedIn

But there are a lot of recruiters out there, and Marie knows that. So, to differentiate herself, she closes the first paragraph of her bio explaining that she likes "getting people excited about the things [she's] excited about." It's a well-put value proposition that sets her apart from the rest of the HR industry.

Marie Mikhail finishes off her bio by including a smooth mixture of professional skills, such as her Spanish fluency; and personal interests, such as podcasting and Star Wars (she mentions the latter with just the right amount of humor).

9. Wonbo Woo

Bio Platform: Personal Website

Wonbo Woo is the executive producer of WIRED's video content, and he has a number of impressive credits to his name. What does this mean for his professional bio? He has to prioritize. With this in mind, Wonbo opens his bio with the most eye-catching details first (if the image below is hard to read, click it to see the full copy).

wonbo-woo-professional-bio-example

Not only does Wonbo's bio start strong, but he also takes readers on a suspenseful journey through some of his most harrowing assignments -- where he was when news broke and how he responded. You can see this quality below.

wonbo-woo-professional-bio-2The accomplished journalist concludes his gripping bio as strong as it began, measuring his experience by the number of states, countries, and continents to which he's traveled in his career. See how this looks above. All in all, it's a fantastically concise bio for as much detail as it holds.

Want more? Read How to Write a Cover Letter That Gets You the Job [Bookmarkable Template + Examples].

professional bio

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The 7 Best WordPress Email Plugins in 2019

If your business has a blog, sending out an email newsletter is essential. Not only is it a simple way to distribute your content, but it can also help you better understand what type of content is resonating with your target audience so you can optimize your content strategy.

Beyond content distribution, an email newsletter can also help generate paying customers for your business. An email newsletter brings engaged customers back to your site on a regular basis -- which can increase your revenue by up to 23%.

WordPress is quickly becoming a one-stop-shop for businesses looking to establish their presence online. Roughly 75 million websites active today are built on WordPress, meaning that WordPress alone powers about 27% of the internet.

So, you're cranking out content on your WordPress blog, and you know you can grow your business through an email newsletter ... Wouldn't it be great if you could send this newsletter directly within Wordpress?

Fortunately, with plugins, you can. Using plugins, you can extend the functionality of WordPress beyond just a website building tool. You can install plugins to help you with SEO, protect your email from SPAM, and much, much more.

Some of the most popular plugins available on WordPress are for email marketing and newsletters. With an email plugin, you can generate leads, segment your contacts, and nurture them into customers -- all within WordPress.

To ensure you're able to use WordPress for all your content distribution and email marketing needs, we've cultivated this list of the seven best WordPress email plugins.

Download Now: Email Marketing Planning Template 

1. MailPoet

MailPoet is the most popular free newsletter plugin on WordPress. To manage your subscribers, you can easily import an existing list from your CRM or another marketing automation tool, or create forms and add them to your site using widgets. Plus, their drag-and-drop email editor lets you quickly create responsive emails that look great on any device or email service.

MailPoet is free for anyone with less than 2,000 subscribers, but becomes more powerful upon upgrading. Premium users can see exactly which subscribers have opened an email and what links people are clicking on within your email, among a number of other advanced features.

Image courtesy of MailPoet

2. Newsletter

Newsletter is an email marketing tool built specifically for WordPress, and everything you need to get started is included. The plugin allows you to add a subscription form or pop-up to your site, segment your leads using multi-list targeting, and send newsletters to distribute your blog content.

Additionally, the tool has built-in reporting, so you can see exactly how your emails are performing. You can even automate newsletters to go out on a regular cadence to ensure you are consistently engaging with your subscribers. Newsletter also integrates with other tools, such as Mailgun and Spark Post, so you can optimize your email strategy based on your needs.

Image courtesy of Newsletter

3. SendinBlue

SendinBlue offers cloud-based digital marketing tools to over 50,000 growing companies around the world, and their plugin brings the power of their platform directly into WordPress. With the SendinBlue WordPress plugin, you can create forms, manage lists of subscribers, create and send email marketing campaigns, and measure your success over time using the included reports. The plugin features a drag-and-drop email editor, and you're able to personalize components of your email to increase engagement with your subscribers.

The SendinBlue WordPress plugin also includes transactional email. Using the wp_mail function, you'll be able to send transactional emails using SendinBlue's SMTP. This feature is great for sending order confirmations, or updating your customers on important changes to their accounts.
Screen Shot 2019-05-01 at 1.34.13 PMImage courtesy of SendinBlue

4. Sumo

Sumo has over 100,000 active installations within WordPress -- and for good reason. Beyond just pop-ups, welcome emails, and automated drip campaigns, they also have a number of other features to help you grow your business.

The plugin also features a "share" button that you can add anywhere on your site, which allows your site visitors to easily share your content on social. The plugin integrates directly with WooCommerce so you can create discounts and unique offers to increase your order value, and minimize the amount of abandoned carts you have.

On top of all the plugin's features, Sumo offers free customer support, and even one-on-one onboarding for all customers (free and paid) to ensure you're getting the most out of the plugin.

Image courtesy of Sumo

5. Email Subscribers and Newsletters

Email Subscribers and Newsletters is a plugin that lets you easily notify your subscribers when you have new blog content available. With it, you can add a subscription box to your site, and get notified every time someone signs up for your newsletter. You can then notify your subscribers whenever a new post is published, or create a custom newsletter to share your content.

Email Subscribers and Newsletters is also serious about the health of your email lists. They offer double opt-in functionality so you can ensure that you're only reaching out to people interested in what your company has to offer. You have the option to add captchas to your subscription box to prevent bots from ruining your email lists. The tool offers list cleanup and spam testing services, as well.

Image courtesy of Email Subscribers and Newsletters

6. Subscribe2

Subscribe2 lets you send either simple notifications to your blog subscribers whenever you post new content, or a recurring digest of posts. Through their plugin, you can also exclude specific categories of posts from being included in your emails, or even exclude posts on an individual basis. The tool lets you create simple plain text emails, or create custom HTML emails. You can also upgrade to their paid service (MailOptin) to send emails to your contact lists in Mailchimp, AWeber, or other email service providers.

Image courtesy of Subscribe2

7. SendPress

SendPress is an easy-to-use email newsletter plugin. With SendPress, you can import contacts and content from your WordPress site directly into the plugin, making it easy to create a blog notification email. The plugin features a number of styling and editing options so you can send professional emails without any coding skills. They also have a service called AutoCron, which will check your site on a regular schedule to make sure your scheduled emails are being sent. Screen Shot 2019-05-01 at 1.36.13 PMImage courtesy of SendPress

Ultimately, it's critical you choose the WordPress email plugin that works best for your business, and your audience's needs. Ideally, one of these tools will have the features you need to nurture leads into prospects, and cultivate a more powerful content marketing strategy for 2019.

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